The following is a press release written by Desiree DeMolina for The City of Bloomington.
Bloomington, Ind. – The Monroe County Central Emergency Dispatch Center (CEDC) has been awarded accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), joining an elite group of emergency communication centers recognized for their professionalism, efficiency, and dedication to public safety.
Nationwide, only 140 emergency communication centers are CALEA accredited and the CEDC is one of only two communications centers in Indiana to accomplish this achievement. This accreditation ensures that the Dispatch Center meets an established set of professional standards, improves emergency response times and outcomes while demonstrating a commitment to continual improvement, aligns with best practices, and fosters public confidence through integrity and professionalism in 911 services. Further, CALEA accreditation requires multiple annual reports and analyses to allow for fact-based and informed management decisions moving forward.
To achieve CALEA accreditation, the Dispatch Center underwent a rigorous multi-phase process, including:
- Establishing comprehensive and uniform written directives that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities.
- A review of all CEDC policies, practices, and processes by independent subject matter experts.
- Solicitation of public feedback and structured interviews with agency personnel and community stakeholders regarding the Center’s effectiveness and overall service delivery.
- Review and approval of a final report compiled by independent assessors submitted to a governing body of CALEA Commissioners on November 16, 2024.
“The Monroe County Central Emergency Dispatch Center is dedicated to providing professional emergency communication services to all Monroe County residents, visitors, and first responders, “ said Police Chief Michael Diekhoff. “Accreditation through CALEA ensures that the Dispatch Center effectively and efficiently accomplishes this as an industry leader in modern emergency communications.”
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) is an internationally recognized credentialing authority for public safety agencies. Founded in 1979, CALEA sets rigorous standards designed to strengthen accountability, improve service delivery, and enhance public trust in law enforcement and emergency communications.
In 1999, CALEA, in conjunction with the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO), designed a full-scale accreditation program specifically for public safety communications agencies.
###
